As one who has had Shore Patrol duty many times in the 20 years I spent in the Federal Navy, I can say that Shore Patrol is like MP duty, but policing ships personnel while in port. Most SP personnel today carry a police baton. Permenant SPs may be armed with a side arm. I suppose a cutlass would be an excellent deterent to unruly sailors on a tear. When Norfolk (Gosport) Shipyard was captured was captured, much Union gear, uniforms, weapons, etc, was taken, so there is the possibility that some of the newer cutlasses may have been included. Most CS sailors in the early war period wore what ever uniforms they could get, especially the Union uniforms captured at Norfolk. As the CS Navy uniforms became available, they relaced those used earlier. Some CS Commanders were skeptical of grey uniforms for sailors, saying "Whoever heard of a sailor any where in the world wearing grey". I wear one and am proud to do so.
John R Denley
POIC
Memphis Detachment
CS Navy